Water in gear case oil

[gnomes9]

While servicing my boat for storage last year, I found milky gear case oil. I changed the oil and left it at that. I'm wondering where I should start. Where could water get in? I've read that the prop shaft seals are the most likely cause, I attached a photo of a parts break down, are the seals I'm looking for #31? Drain and fill plug gaskets were changed last year. Any suggestions/comments would be appreciated.

 

[racerone]

Leak points are.-----wee O-rings on the propshaft carrier screws.-----O-ring on propshaft carrier.----Shift rod 0-ring.----Shift rod cover gasket.----Driveshaft oil seals.---O-ring on driveshaft bearing carrier.----Propshaft seals.-----Perhaps time for a complete sal kit-----It will save you a bunch on coins in the long run.

 

[jimmbo]

You could do/get a Pressure and Vacuum test done on the case

 

[petestud]

As racerone noted, it is best to replace all of the seals, o-rings and gaskets. Since you have water in the gear case it will need to be taken apart and cleaned out so might as well get everything done. There are a few important things that need to be looked at and these would be excessive wear where the seals for the propeller shaft and driveshaft touch. There will be some wear from contaminants but make sure that it isn't too bad. Use a 400 aluminum oxide strip to wet sand around the shaft to make it as smooth as possible for the new seals. And you may already know that trying to get the carrier out will be a chore since you have aluminum on aluminum going on and will need a puller to get the carrier out. I don't recommend a slide hammer or anything else that would put high impact stresses on it.

 

[oldboat1]

You could do/get a Pressure and Vacuum test done on the case

Agree. First find out what is leaking -- something you can do yourself.

 

[gnomes9]

Ok. Do I need to drop the lower unit to pressure/vacuum test? Obviously to change all the o-rings and gaskets I will. It's not fun dropping the LU on my motor. I changed out the water pump last year.

 

[oldboat1]

Yes -- drop the l.u. Apply slight pressure (maybe 5 to 6 lbs) through the drain or fill hole after draining. (replace one of the screws for testing.) Spray suspected areas with soapy water, and look for bubbles. The drain and fill gaskets are often a problem, btw. I use a small foot pump and gauge for this, using the inflation needle through some gasket material to seal.

 

[gnomes9]

Would you vacuum test or just positive pressure? I would have to buy a hand vacuum pump if so.

 

[thatone123]

Old hands along the Yukon and Tanana rivers where the shifting glacial sands shift every night and lower units fail like poker chips fill the gear cases with thick grease gun grease. Won't work forever but longer than one would think.

 

[racerone]

???---But the bearings / gears where designed to work with oil.

 

[oldboat1]

It is usually sufficient to pressure test when looking for a leak. Vacuum testing is easy, though, with a Mityvac -- useful for many other purposes, but about $50.

 

[gnomes9]

Does anybody know if there is a lu seal kit for my model of Evinrude, 1982 E90TLCN?

 

[racerone]

Your Evinrude dealer likely has a kit in stock !----They are that common.

 

[gnomes9]

I phoned yesterday, he told me there was no kit for my year? It's okay I can google for one.

 

[racerone]

Here we go again.-----That seal kit was not sold / listed in the 82 model year.-----That gearcase was used for many years !!---So find the seal numbers.----Find those seal numbers in newer kits.------Order the kit.----Most dealers today will only respond to part numbers.-----An old friend called me from 4 hrs away looking for help with 115 HP Mercury---------Would not keep running.----Dealer said no fuel pump available.-----Gave him the part # for fuel pump repair kit.------Called me to say " thanks " and motor is running properly again.

 

[gnomes9]

Okay thanks

 

[gnomes9]

Hey guys, so I found that the gear case was leaking from the o-ring on the bearing carrier and from the shift shaft. I removed the bearing carrier and changed the shaft seals. When I installed them I put a little smear of liquid gasket on the outside. I have new o-rings for the bolts that hold the carrier in place. I would like to know if I should be putting the liquid gasket or anything else on the carrier bolts and the big o-ring for the bearing carrier.

 

[gnomes9]

Another thing, do I simply unscrew my shift shaft to remove it? Just want to make sure before i do. I do have a new o-ring and gasket

 

[Chris1956]

Note the height of the shift shaft, as you must reinstall it to the exact height.

What shape is the shift cover plate? The tend to corrode and cause the shift shaft to bind. Replacement is easy.

Might as well replace the seal on the driveshaft, while you are at it.

 

[gnomes9]

Here is a pic of the cover plate.